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The Bayside Lounge
- Price Range:
-
$$
- Accepts Credit Cards:
- Yes
- Parking:
- Street
- Good for Groups:
- Yes
- Outdoor Seating:
- No
- Music:
- DJ, Background
- Best Nights:
- Fri
- Happy Hour:
- No
- Alcohol:
- Full Bar
- Smoking:
- No
- Coat Check:
- No
- Noise Level:
- Loud
- Good For Dancing:
- Yes
- Has TV:
- Yes
17 reviews for The Bayside Lounge
17 reviews in English
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Review from Johnson C.
Vancouver, BC
8/17/2011 4 Check-ins Here
I'm pretty surprised I'm giving this place five stars. To be honest, it's not great in any particular aspect... it just doesn't have any glaring defects.
Up to a few weeks ago, I didn't know this place existed. Got a call to meet up for drinks at 1:30AM - when most bars are doing last call already. Here's a familiar conversation:
Me: "Fuck that - I don't want to go to a club"
NotMe: "No - I don't want to go to a club either..."
Me: "Meet at your place?"
NotMe: "No - I'm out of booze..."
Me: "... I'm dry too..."
NotMe: "..."
Me: "... fuck, I don't want to go to [last resort] again..."
NotMe: "... okay - I know a joint at near English Bay - Bayside"
Me: "... Bayside? Like... the Tigers?"
NotMe: "You're so weird."
The joint was open until 3AM on Friday and last call was 2:45AM. Same late hours when I came in on a random Thursday as well.
That's should be enough already, but here's some other good points:
- no cover and there's a DJ - music varied from Top 40, hip hop and house
- lots of booths overlooking English Bay and lounge couches; friendly people at the huge circular bar
- staff was reasonably fast and friendly
- reasonably priced drinks - lots of cocktails and pitchers of beer available
- lively without being overcrowded
Overall, unpretentious bar that caters to everyone from large groups to couples. Open later than any joint (that I know of) that doesn't require a knowledge of a password or a secret entrance.
I was originally hesitant to sing the praises of this joint in case you Screeches and Beldings fuck this place up - be cool. Be cool. Don't screw up this last shelter against archaic Puritanical morals.Listed in: A Compendium of Fine…, "You're the best! Around!"
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Review from Shoppa H.
Vancouver, BC
4/18/2012
Another place with a gorgeous view. A great place for date night. Can not recall if the food was good or not.
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Review from Lori C.
Vancouver, BC
7/23/2011 1 Check-in Here
We went here one night for a simple dinner. We ended up just finishing the initial drinks we ordered and going somewhere else.
There was not a spot near the window views that night which I'm guessing is the only reason to come here. The tables seemed fairly cramped. I seemed to keep hearing the conversation at the table next to us better than I could hear my husband. Upon asking for a check, our waitress "misunderstood" what we said and never brought it. We had to go track her down again in order to leave. -
Review from Melissa E.
Vancouver, BC
2/6/2011
For such a high density neighbourhood there really aren't a lot of places to grab a drink after work in the West End. Bayside Lounge is my favourite by far.
Not only do you feel like you're sitting on the bridge of the starship enterprise, you get beautiful sunset views (when not pissing rain of course), reasonably priced drinks and unpretentious service and atmosphere. I've never had more than the nachos but I've also heard the food is pretty decent.
If you're lucky you can also listen in on some first dates...seems to be a popular spot for those. I wouldn't know anything about that though.Listed in: Beer me!!!, Drinks anyone?, West End Wicked - Restos
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Review from May P.
Vancouver, BC
7/27/2011
Service was fine, yam fries were good, drinks reasonably priced.
My friend and I ended our evening with shots at the bar with friendly random strangers, ah if only this could happen every Friday night. -
Review from Mercedes G.
Vancouver, BC
11/18/2008
Before my uneventful trip to the Mediterranean Grill, and after the incredible Madonna concert (have I mentioned that enough lately? because it was awesome!), my friend and I went for a vastly unneeded drink with some people at the Bayside Lounge at the corner of Davie and Denman Streets.
The Bayside Lounge definitely has a nostalgic feel to it. Tables line the the half-moon room, overlooking English Bay with fantastic views. The circular bar holds court in the lounge and rightly so, this is a great place to come for good company, drinks, food and general debauchery. All with a stunning view! -
Review from Danielle B.
Vancouver, BC
2/28/2011 2 Check-ins Here
My friend and I were looking for a lunch spot on a rainy/snowy afternoon and ended up at Bayside Lounge because of an entertainment book coupon.
Upon arrival, we noticed it was very empty inside, but for a Sunday afternoon with crappy weather, I suspected a lot of people would be staying home. The waitress greeted us warmly enough and brought a couple of menus over. The service was pretty much downhill from there.
I ordered a Greek salad with grilled chicken and a glass of soda water. My friend had a clubhouse sandwich with yam fries and a pint of beer. My soda was mostly ice and I finished it quickly but waited forever to get a refill. Finally had to flag the server down. When the food arrived, my friend's plate had regular fries instead of yam fries so he mentioned this to the food runner, who in turn, went to the bar and checked with our server - she confirmed and the girl left with his food. The server did not come over to apologize for the mix-up or even acknowledge the situation. My salad was fine, although it had WAY too many onions. My friend's clubhouse finally arrived (cold now) with yam fries. He said it was decent enough.
After another refill on my soda, we handed over the coupon and asked for the bill. After looking it over, I saw that I was charged for 3 pops. At no time did she say "refills aren't free" - it's ridiculous that she wouldn't mention that when I asked for a "refill". Pop and coffee are very commonly free refills and should be mentioned if otherwise. My friend put his credit card on top of the receipt and we waited for the waitress to take the payment. She walked by our table three times and looked at the card on the table but said nothing. Finally, I checked the receipt to see if it said to pay at the bar, but there was nothing there. When he asked, she said to pay at the bar which was literally right behind him. He only had to turn around - but she failed to say anything the three times she walked by. I guess having been a server and bartender for 15 years, I have higher expectations than most because I thought this waitress was useless. If I were paying the bill, I wouldn't have tipped more than $1 since all she did was bring our drinks - and even then, we had to wait an unreasonable amount of time, seeing as how there was no more than a dozen people there. I'll definitely not return here. The two stars are for the view and the food - the server gets a zero from me. -
Review from Sheila W.
BC
12/1/2008
My friend remembered this place for having great Caesars. She used to live up the street from here. We were in the neighbourhood and hungry so we decided to head back here for old time's sake.
Unfortunately, the fondly remembered Caesars tasted as though the Clamato had either gone off or was being mixed with soda water. They had a suspicious fizzy quality that did not deter us from drinking them, but stopped us from having our usual allowance of three to five. We quickly switched to beer.
This place is a bit strange. You walk up the stairs to get to the entrance and the bar is kinda ship-like, with the bow being a row of windows facing English Bay. There are tables around the bar in the centre. There were a ring of sailor-like old men bellied-up to the bar making regular heh-heh-heh-type jokes to the cute waitress/bartender. She had a great sense of humour and seemed to keep everyone happy.
It's a bar menu and we went with chicken burgers, which were just fine. -
Review from Christine R.
New Westminster, BC
10/23/2008
It may not be the hippest joint in town, but the Bayside Lounge is pretty cool. Pink neon and brass invites you right back into the '80s with a total lack of irony. The giant circular bar dominates the circular room, which is lined with windows looking out over English Bay. It's a great place to watch the sunset with a martini in hand - which I have done a few times.
I love the booth seating by the windows - it's a continuous round of seats and tables that line the room - which make it easy to get to know your neighbours, should you wish to, when the bar is full. It's a very unpretentious sort of bar, I find. The staff are friendly, and if you treat the bartender right, you'll get some good free-pour action indeed. -
Review from Leanne M.
Vancouver, BC
4/19/2010
This place is great! My friends and I try to go as often as we can. The martinis are out of this world...yum! Also, the sunsets and view are so beautiful to watch while snacking on appies and having drinks. They have regular pub-style food but lots of options for people who don't eat red meat or poultry (like me). The salads there are great and so are the crab cakes. My husband especially likes the sliders (mini-burgers)...he says they're super tasty.
They play house music which is really nice if you like that kind of thing because most pubs etc tend to play rock or top 40 which doesn't really make you feel like you're in a lounge. The Bayside feels like a true lounge. Yes, the decor is a bit dated for sure, but it still has a really nice feel to it :)
Definitely the best place in the westend to have drinks and watch the sunset!
Leanne -
Review from Robyn G.
Vancouver, BC
8/26/2011
Inside could do with some updating. Food was good, drinks were good and service was friendly!
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Review from lincoln h.
Vancouver, BC
2/25/2009
i love this place...
i have been going there for years.
it is the kind of place to go in the evening mid-week to to have a quite drink with friends and a view of english bay. the scene is usually busy enough to be comfortable but not crowded. there are drink specials most nights, and the service is prompt never pushy. its a clean cut place to mellow out without the newly renovated slickness that vancouver seems to be plagued with lately. there is no specific 'scene' or clientele, it always seems to be a bit of everyone, so you never feel out of place.
my only complaint is they have a couple of tvs hanging around,but strategic seating takes care of that.
if your in the west end and you need a place to hang out try the bayside
lounge... -
Review from Katy N.
3/17/2009
Can't believe this place is still around...this was my late night hang out or after rollerblading in English Bay. MUST order their famous NACHOS w/extra CHEEEEEESE & JALAPENOS!!!!!!! You'll love the view of the OCEAN :)
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Review from Paul R.
Vancouver, BC
6/14/2011
West End's best kept secret bar/lounge.
Up one floor, perched above the popular Denman/Davie corner it is a secret (ocean view) escape that I get to often.
Great WestEnd variety of customers show up here and mix well.
Recently updated food and beverage menu is better than ever now.
Servers 'forget' once in a while and often a bit slow
but super friendly and most have been there a long time.
Daily drink specials, good value wines, expanded, solid food menu too.
Great burgers, fish n chips, lunch and dinner specials daily.
They open late, noon, so I usually get lunch and brunch elsewhere.
TV's are inconspicuously placed so it doesn't feel like a pub/bar.
200 degree expanse of view to the outside otherwise.
Seating and furniture is a bit poorly chosen and makes it awkward.
Great chill and house music til 10 pm.
DJs change that and make it noisy and loud after that.
Depends on what you like.
Open very late as it's part of the Sands Hotel complex.
Don't tell too many people about this place! -
Review from Darien C.
BC
11/14/2008 1 photo
The speed of service isn't great. The view is. Bayside Lounge is located on the second floor of the building on the corner of Davie and Denman. In this city, there are few things nicer to stare at than English Bay. Bayside has a terrific view from their large windows, a perfect combination with a dry martini. I'm also rather fond of the lounge section. Black leather couches and spacious tables beg you to stay awhile. The servers here are great conversationalists, but not the speediest. In true lounge style you're better off coming here for a few drinks and never in a rush. Be sure to grab a chair by the window and face west, the bay beckons.
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Review from Greg W.
Vancouver, BC
11/15/2009 1 Check-in Here
This is my favorite place in the West End for sunset drinks. The staff are great and the food is pretty great too! They have a good DJ too in the evening.
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Review from L M.
Vancouver, BC
12/2/2009
Food comes from the Checkers bar in the hotel next door, and mostly isn't recommended. Decor is tacky with, as another reviewer hilariously put, 'a total lack of irony'. Brass, neon, velvet paintings, small overly-colourful prints you might buy in Vegas when you're drunk, over-the-top Christmas decorations, and a 60s'era 10ft painting of sailboats on a rocky ocean to remind you when you've had too much. 'Nostalgia' might be too warm a description.
... However...
It has one of a handful of the most spectacular-view sunset drink spots in the city, and that in wraparound windows and wraparound booth seating around a circular bar at English Bay... and that counts for a heckofalot.
Staff are very pleasant, there's a 'regulars' feel that's still welcoming, and there's plenty enough free wi-fi in the area where you can spend a productive evening working on your laptop with a glass of wine, avoiding the land of coffee shops.
Enter up the ramp on Davie, around the corner from Denman.
